Baron Alice jug

Baron Alice jug

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Baron Alice jug - 4¾" (120 mm) diameter, 3⅛" (79 mm) high. July 1926.

Guid volks be scarce so take care of me"To Alice from Father"

We are looking for some good 'ah's when we tell you that the Pottery Studio dad has a daughter called Alice, and this is her jug. Unfortunately neither was around in 1926 and dad didn't give it to her.

The story of Baron Pottery centres around its founder, William Leonard
Baron, born in Sidmouth, South Devon, in 1863, his son, William, and his
grandson, William. He studied at Lambeth School of Art, and took up his
first job at Doulton, Lambeth in the
early 1880s. Some time in 1884 he moved down to Barnstaple to work at the
Brannam Pottery.

Baron was a modeller, designer and potter. He continued his studies at
Barnstaple School of Art, and after gaining his master's certificate started
to teach pottery himself. He served at Brannam's for nine years, producing
many fine designs for the company, making exhibition pieces and winning
important commissions.

In 1893 he wanted to branch out on his own and, having insufficient capital
to start his own works, came to an arrangement with
Edwin Beer Fishley whereby
Baron's pots were fired at the Fremington Pottery. Within two years he had
the necessary wherewithal and started Baron Pottery at Rolle Quay near Barnstaple.

An intense rivalry bordering on a feud existed between Baron and his
ex-employer, C H Brannam, with Baron using every trick in the book to attract
customers to his pottery. He erected signs on the outskirts of the town
directing tourists to 'The Pottery', and paid coach drivers to bring parties
there. In 1904 he opened a shop for his wares in the town centre.

Billy junior worked with his father from leaving school in 1902 and by
1910 was playing an important part in its management. The company continued
to flourish through the first part of the twentieth century, but in 1935
Billy was killed trying to save his sister, Jo, from drowning when an unexpected
wind blew up during a family outing to the beach. Although an experienced
life-saver Billy was unable get Jo to shore and was himself swept away.
William senior, by now an elderly man, lost his enthusiasm for the pottery,
and when he died two years later, grandson Billy, who was not interested
in ceramics allowed the company to be absorbed by Brannam's.

Baron Pottery produced motto wares, puzzle jugs, grotesque and art pottery.
It is collected for its quality of design rather than finish. Baron was
a natural entertainer and this talent comes across in his designs as well
as his choice of mottos and subject matter.

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